Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon will not seek a third term, his office announced Thursday. However, the two-term Republican governor has not ruled out running for another office.
“He’s still kind of exploring his options,” Amy Edmonds, Gordon’s spokesperson, told WyoFile.
As candidates across Wyoming have announced bids for various statewide offices in recent months, Gordon has been tight-lipped about his own plans, leading to speculation that he would put the state’s gubernatorial term limits to the test.
In two opinions about a decade apart, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled that term limits on legislators as well as on most top elected positions in the state were unconstitutional. While the high court has not addressed the qualifications for governor, it’s been widely suggested that a court challenge would be successful. Such was the discussion in 2010, when Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal ultimately chose not to seek a third term.
There’s also been speculation that Gordon may run for Congress, which he’s done in the past. In 2008, Gordon ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. He was ultimately defeated by Cynthia Lummis in the primary election. If Gordon seeks the seat in 2026, he’ll join a crowded field that has already attracted at least 10 Republicans. It’s possible he could also be eyeing a run for Wyoming’s soon-to-be open U.S. Senate seat — a choice that would pit him against Rep. Harriet Hageman, whom he defeated in the governor’s race in 2018.
Wyoming’s candidate filing period opens for two weeks at the end of May.
As for the rest of Gordon’s final term in the governor’s office, his “focus remains on essential pillars like supporting core industries, growing Wyoming’s economy, strengthening local communities and families, and safeguarding Wyoming’s vital natural resources,” according to the Thursday press release.
Starting in June, Gordon will set out on a series of community visits to “engage directly with citizens,” the release states, and is particularly interested in having discussions about “protecting our resilient property tax base that funds local services like education, fire protection, police services and others, as well as honoring local control, investing in our future through smart saving and continued stewardship of our wildlife, land, and water.”
The governor also pointed to the Aug. 18 primary election.
“You don’t have to be Governor to make a difference in Wyoming,” Gordon wrote. “Participating in elections is something all of us can do to make a real difference, and these conversations are important to have to ensure everyone makes informed decisions about the future of Wyoming.”
Whether Gordon will run for office is one lingering question — to what degree he will support other candidates is another.
In 2024, Gordon personally spent more than $160,000 on statehouse races, backing non-Wyoming Freedom Caucus Republicans who generally aligned with his positions on energy, economic diversification, mental health services and education.
While many of those races did not go Gordon’s way — the Freedom Caucus won control of the House — the governor is coming off a legislative budget session where lawmakers largely approved his proposed budget.
More specifically, the Legislature’s final budget came in about $53 million shy of the governor’s $11 billion recommendations after significant cuts were floated by the Freedom Caucus lawmakers ahead of the session. Many of those notable cuts — including to the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Business Council — were ultimately rejected.
While Gordon applauded the final budget, he also said in March he was “saddened by some of the reductions,” including the Legislature’s decision to nix SUN Bucks, the summer food program that fills the gap for kids when there are no school lunches. Wednesday, however, the governor signed an executive order that will start delivering food benefits to Wyoming families as early as June.
Details for Gordon’s upcoming community visits will be posted to the governor’s website, according to the press release.
Harriet has already picked out drapes and earrings to match Cynthia’s soon to be vacated office. She seems to be under the impression that it is hers for the taking. I would absolutely love to help Governor Gordon give her a good reason to ask Amazon for a full refund.
I think Governor Gordon would serve Wyoming well as US Senator.
Govenor Gordon would make a good US Senator with a voice of reason that is lacking from other candidates. Enough said from this independent voter.
As stated in Ms. Mullen’s piece, Gordon recently signed executive order 2026-02, which directs one-time state money so that Wyoming children from low-income families can participate in the SUN Bucks program. “Filling little bellies” is commendable. But it also suggests Gordon is buffing his resume for a senate run.
President trump has already endorsed in the senate election,representative Harriet hageman.
A run for congress would be interesting !
If that happened,I would guess half of the declared candidates would drop out.
If it were to be Gordon vs. Hageman, it sure wouldn’t be Hageman getting my vote that’s for sure. Harriet wouldn’t get my vote no matter who ran against her but at least Gordon doesn’t continually expouse the same MAGA talking points as Barrasso, Lummis, and the rest of these people who have attached themselves to a sinking ship that’s going down fast.
Agreed. Relatively speaking, he’s better than the others. I sure hope you’re right about the sinking ship of the other Trump goons.
I’m not Catholic, but Trump picking a fight with the Pope doesn’t seem like prudent politics if he wants to help his MAGA buddies in the upcoming election. Then you’ve got his increasingly bizarre behavior. If I were running, he’s nobody I’d want an endorsement from.